Top Tips for the solo performer

It’s a new year and many are planning a new year of gigging. I thought I’d put together a list of tips and advice that I have collected during my time as a solo performer and as a promoter. They are based on my experience, mistakes that I have made myself and have seen others make.

Before the gig

JOIN THE PRS!!!!!!!! Just do it. If you’re doing gigs for free then there’s even more reason to join. They have a pubs and clubs scheme that will pay you around £6 for every gig you perform and it all soon mounts up.

Write down the name and address of your gig on a piece, the telephone number of the promoter AND the venue on a piece of paper and put that piece of paper in your wallet/purse. Don’t just rely on putting it on your phone or finding that email when you get near. You can lose your phone, it can run out of power or you might not get coverage.

Be prepared

This is what I take to everygig

Although I only need one lead, I take two.

I also take my own mic, it’s a standard sm58 but I know it works and won’t shock me!

I have an old cd wallet that has two sets of spare strings in ORDER, a string winder and a small pair of cutters.

CDs. If you don’t have CDs to sell or give away you should really be asking yourself the question “Why am I gigging?” Seriously, most computers are capable of doing a basic recording of you doing your stuff. Just a few tracks and if you’re not happy charging money for them then just give them to folk who ask. If you want to record something better later, fantastic but in the meantime give people something to take home.

Badges. I love badges and so do audiences. Even if they don’t like what I do they will still take a badge!

A mailing list. I’ll talk about mailing lists in another blog so I’ll keep my powder dry on this subject.

The last thing I will say in this section is that you should write your name and telephone number on everything you take with you. I am forever leaving bits and pieces at gigs and have been very lucky in getting most of it back again.

At the venue

Getting there on time is a given but if you are going to be late give them a call as soon as you know. They may be able to juggle other acts around or if not then you did your best.

When you get there BE FRIENDLY. You may not be the outgoing gregarious type but you can at least say hi and introduce yourself to the promoter, venue staff and the other artists. Gigs are great networking events where you can find out about other venues and events.

DON’T GET DRUNK!! This may also be a given but I know a few artists that find it hard to play certain venues after drinking too much. Sometimes a venue will let you have a few free drinks but even then I would advise having something soft and it gives a good impression. Drunk people aren’t cool and you want to be cool yes?

Recently I have started taking my own soft drinks to gigs especially to one that I’m not getting paid for. I have been charged £2.50 for a small bottle of coke, not cool.

I have got drunk at gigs and will probably get drunk again but I generally regret it.

As for drugs and being stoned at gigs, people ALWAYS notice ALWAYS. Get a reputation as a pot/coke head will limit you to pot/coke head venues. If that works for you then good luck….

When you are performing

Things to remember.

You may not be good at chatting with the audience but always let them know who you are and what the name of the song is.

Never NEVER apologise before a song
“I only just wrote this song this morning/ This isn’t my guitar/ I’m not feeling very well today” or my favourite “I’m sooo hungover today so I’m sorry if I get it wrong” . If you apologise before then it looks like you are unprepared and the audience just wasn’t worth you making an effort. Make every performance the best you can do.

Never NEVER apologise after a song. If you messed a few chords, repeated the second verse,  chances are they didn’t notice as they may not have seen you before and don’t know how the song goes. Also someone may have really got into that song and you telling them it was crap just undermines them. Which takes me to…

TAKE THE DAMN COMPLIMENT!!

Ok so you are a tortured soul and a perfectionist but if someone comes up to you at a gig and compliments you on your set NEVER NEVER NEVER say something like “Oh, I was rubbish tonight”.  It’s as good as saying “You think you know about music, well what you thought was good was actually garbage, you know NOTHING!!” You may as well just kick them in the balls. If you have trouble taking compliments then try this phrase “Thanks, I’m glad you enjoyed it” and think of me!

After your performance

If you have a mailing list then now is the time to use it. I go around the venue giving away badges. If they take a badge then they might want to go on your mailing list. If they say no then just say thanks and move on. If you are performing in the U.K asking folk to add their email address to your list whilst you are performing will not work, never. Also if you suggest that they can come up to you afterwards and add their names will have limited success. But as I mentioned earlier, I will address these things at a later date.

This may be a good time to sort out the money. If you’re a bit English about the whole money thing (what the hell is wrong with us?) then a good opening line to the money person is “How do you think it went?” Then see if he comes good with the agreed sum. This can often be a complicated affair depending on the deal you struck.Keep it friendly but also don’t be afraid to stick up for yourself if you think someone is ripping you off BUT be very very careful and make sure you are 100% sure you are being ripped off before you start getting shirty as you may want to play this venue again.

You may want to stick around and chat or you may want to dash, that depends on your personality, if you meet some nice folks or need to catch the last bus or whatever. Just make sure when you leave you say farewell to the sound crew, promoter, venue staff and other artists and don’t just slink off into the night. Shake some hands, say thanks and leave them a cd if you have one. I have swapped many a cd with artists and have left cds with sound crew as well. You never know they may even play it at the venue at a later date?

Well I think that’s enough to be going on with. I think I’ve covered the basics. I hope you take away something positive and if so thank you, I’m glad you enjoyed it!